Tower



m- 3, 1940- w. J. CHOLL 2,213,870

TOWER Filed Jan. 8, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l lNV ENTOR I ATTORNEY p 1940v w. J. SCHOLL 2,213,870

TOWER Filed Jan. 8, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Will am 1 Sc/iol/ ATTORN EY Sept. 3, 39%. w. J. SCHOLL 2,213,870

TOWER Filed Jan. 8, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR W/l/iam J. Schol/ ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 3, 1940 Uhiiii STATES ran 4 Claims.

This invention relates to towers and more particularly to a folding tower of a type adapted for the purpose of mounting a wind generator or the like thereon.

It is well known that wind may be utilized for revolving propellers and generating electricity from the power derived therfrom and that towers for supporting generators of this character should be relatively high and above obstructions in order to be accessible for action thereupon by air currents. Due to the relatively great height to which towers of this character are erected, it

been found difficult to repair or replace generators or other instruments mounted on the The expense of towers capable of supng persons and relatively heavy loads for such repair or other work on the towers is almost prohibitive for general use of conventional towers d the time and labor involved in erecting large to for this purpose renders them impractiand efficient folding tower of relatively light 25 weight, which can be erected on the ground at the lace of intended use thereof and easily and for the tower; to provide a foldable extension for the tower with a retaining and/or actuating member. capable of limiting unfolding movement of the extension and to maintain the tower in 35- erected condition; to provide improved connections between the mast and extension for facilitating hinging, raising and lowering movements of the extension; to improve the bracing of the extension relative to the mast and base; and to 40 provide improvements in. the manner of raising and lowering the extension relative to the mast.

Another important object of the present invention s to provide a double or auxiliary bracing system for the mast in larger sizes of towers 45 and to provide an improved manner of utilizing the same.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which 50 is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

l is a perspective View of a tower, embodying the features of the present invention, illustrating the tower in erected condition.

55 Fig. 2 is an elevational View of the tower, partly in section, illustrating the manner of hinging the extension to the mast, a position of the extension during the raising and lowering or hinging operation being shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross section through the 6 extension truss and strut bracket illustrating its application to the extension.

Fig. 4 a. horizontal section through the tower and particularly illustrating application of the mast to the base mounting therefor. 10

Fig. 5 is a detail disassembled perspective View of the upper end of the mast and lower end of the extension, illustrating the manner of mounting the extension on the mast and stop plate for limiting movement therebetween.

Fig. 6 is a detail. horizontal section through the mast and extension hinging member, particularly illustrating the hinging pressure equalizing mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a detail elevational view of the ratchet mechanism for the winch.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the tower shown in semifolded condition as it is being. raised into erected condition.

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of a modified form of my invention illustrating the double or auxiliary bracing employed with large towers.

Fig. 10 is a detail plan view of the supplementary brace retaining bracket employed in the modified form of invention.

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of the stop plate showing the manner of attaching the auxiliary bracket truss rods thereto.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The invention generally includes a base I, Fig. 1, for supporting a mast 2, the mast having a winch 3, or the like, engaged with a pressure equalizing member t, which is mounted on a mast extension hinging unit 5, Fig. 5, the unit being pivotally mounted on the mast and'comprising 40 a mast extension member 6. A bracing bracket element I which has parts thereof interengageable between the mast extension, hinging unit and mast base, also forms a part of this invention. 5

The base i preferably consists of a plurality of angle irons 8 having their ends connected, as by fastening devices 9, Fig. 2, to form a triangular supporting structure, the corners of which are adapted to seat on suitable supports ill mounted in the ground. Angle irons H extending. inwardly from the corners of the supporting structure 8 have their inner ends suitably mounted on the base flange l2 of a. mast supporting collar E3, or the like, the collar it being adapted to support the lower end of the mast 2 and to engage upon a ground support l4 when it is raised into operative position.

The mast 2 preferably consists of a tube or the like of any desired length and, as an illustration, when the tower is to be of a 40 foot height, for example, the mast 2 is preferably of approxi-- mately 22 feet in length.

Suitable bracing members i5 are preferably engaged with the base at the corners thereof and are also engaged with the mast as by fastening devices It, Fig. 2, for additionally supporting the mast at substantially right angles to the basev member.

Angle brackets H are also preferably mounted on the corners of the base and are provided with turnbuckles it, or the like, for

described. 1 v

The mast extension member 6 preferably comprises a tube which may, if desired for the purpose of decreasing the weight of the tower,v be of smaller diameter than the mast 2, thereduc tion insize being accounted for by providing the mast with a reduction collar l9 and mounting a mast tube 2%! of the size of the mast extension in the collar IS. AS above pointed, out, thetower is of a folding type and I therefore provide the mast tube 20 with a pivoting or hinge member 2|, which preferably consists of a plate having its body portion fixed, as by fastening devices 22, to the reduced mast tube 20, and I provide the upper end 23 thereof with an aperture 24, as by rolling the plate outwardly, for receiving a fastening device such as the bolt 25 therein, the bolt 25 being adapted to be extended through aligned apertures 26 in a retaining plate member 21; The member 2'! preferably consists of a'bent plate having wings 28 to contain the apertures 26. Substantially the upper half of the plate is fixed a' purpose later A to the lower end of the extension tube 8, as shown at 29, and substantially the lower half of the plate is engageable over and about the reduced mast member 20 in such a manner that, as the extension tube 6 is pivoted or hinged downwardly on the bolt 25, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2,

the lower portion of the plate 21 becomes disengaged from the reduced mast member 20; andv when the extension tube 6 is in erected or vertically disposed condition, the plate 21 retains the extension against further pivotal movement beyond a position in alignment withthe mast 2.

In order .to provide for raising and lowering the extension relative to the mast, the winch 3 is preferably provided in fixed relation to the mast and in a position convenient for operation by an attendant. The winch preferably consists of a supporting bracket 30 having arms suitably fixed to the mast. The winch is preferably braced, as at 3!, and has a winding or reeling drum 32 adapted to be actuated by the handle 33, reverse motion thereof being controlled by a ratchet mechanism 34, Fig. 7. A cable having its ends mounted on the winding drum 32 is engaged with a pulley block 36 at its intermediate portion, Fig.

,6, the pulley block being suitably mounted, as by the fastening devices 31, on the pressure equalizing ,member 4.

This feature of the present invention affords an advantage in equalizing lateral play of the extension as it is being raised and. lowered and prevents binding of the winch, together with easier and more of substantially U-shape having the arms thereof attached to the extension hinging unit 5, as particularly shown in Fig. 6.

The unit preferably comprises a pair of angle irons 33 which may be preformed, as shown at 39 in Fig. 2, to compensate for the shape of the collar is, the side flanges of the angle irons being variably spaced in such a manner as to fit about the mast 2 and extension 6, respectively. The upper portions it of the angle irons are fixed tothe extension tube ii along a substantial length thereof in such a manner that, when the winch is operated to apply pressure on the equalizer 4, an adequate leverage is applied to the extension tube 6 to easily raise the same into alignment with the mast.

It is sometimes desirable to further increase this leverage and to additionally brace the unit ,5 and I therefore provide the truss rod 4!, which has one end thereof fixed, as at 52, to the mast end of the hinging unit, and its other end fixed to an angle bracket 43 mounted on the tube 6 in upwardly spaced relation to the angle irons of the unit 5. Bracing bracket members M, as and 56 are also provided on the unit and engaged with the rod for spacing the truss rod from the unit 5 and tube 6 to increase the eifective leverage on the tube and additionally brace the hinging unit.

The brace element 1 is mounted on and adjacent to the lower end of the extension tube and, as shown in Fig. 3, preferably consists of a casting having a central collar 31 engaged about the tube 6 and the angle irons of the unit 5 and secured in position thereon as by the set screw 58. A fastening device 49 is also provided for exten-- sion through suitably aligned apertures in the collar, angle irons and tube for securing the same together. Radially extending arms 50 are provided on the collar which have apertured bosses 5i at the outer ends thereof for passing struts 52, or the like, which are secured at their upper ends to the extension tube 6, adjacent the truss rod, as shown at 53. The lower ends of the struts 52 are provided with suitable hook memhere 5 adapted for engagement with cables 55, or the like, the cables in turn being provided with suitable connecting members 56 adapted for engagement with mating connecting members 51 on the turnbuckles l"! which, as above pointed out, are connected with the base members.

One of the arms 55! of the tube bracing bracket element 1 is provided with an apertured boss 58 in spaced relation to the inner and outer ends thereof for the passage of the truss rod i! on the member5, the effect of which is to tie the unit 5, tube E, and bracket element 1 together to assure united action therebetween when the tube 6 is to be hinged.

The upper end of the tube 6 may, if desired, be provided with a collar 59 for receiving an additional extension section 69 adapted for engagement within the collar and tube for aiding and supporting the tower as it is being erected and prior to application of an instrument to the extension tube 6.

The operation of a folding tower constructed as described is as follows:

Assuming the tower to have been assembled by mounting the mast in the base collar, the supporting structure of the tower is ordinarily positioned on the ground and supported on one side SI of the base structure 8 thereof. Assuming further that the extension tube 6 has been pivotall-y mounted on the mast and that the winch cable has been engaged with the pulley block of the equalizer, the mast is raised in a suitable manner, preferably by applying upward pressure adjacent the hinge thereof, and rocked on the side BE in a direction to place it in upright condition, an intermediate step of which is shown in Fig. 8. As the mast is raised, the tube '6 folds on its pivot and the unit and particularly the equalizer thereof, due to such folding, is moved away from and out of engagement with the mast, and the cable of the winch is therefore paid out. The extension member Eli, having been applied to the upper end of the tube 6, supports the extension structure as'the mast is being raised and facilitates manipulation of the mast to vertical or upright condition by maintaining frictional engagement with the ground as the tower jackknifes to prevent slipping of the tower backto the ground. When the mast is raised to such a point that it is inconvenient to apply lifting pressure at the hinge, a rope or the like may be attached thereto to apply lifting pressure laterally thereof to complete the rocking and thus position the mast in upright condition. The cables 55 previously having been applied to the strut members 52, one or more of them is connected with the corresponding turnbuckles of the base member, the cable 52, Fig. 8, at this time remaining unhooked.

If, as above pointed out, the tower is to be of a 40 foot height and the mast is approximately 22 feet in length, and since it is preferable that the tube 6 be ofless length than the mast in order to facilitate the application of a conventional generator assembly 63, Figs. 1 and 2, thereon, it is apparent that the tube t should be approximately 18 feet in length to space the instrument end of the tube from the ground when the tower is in folded condition.

Suitable conductors, not shown, are applied to the generator to lead the power generated thereby to a point of use.

The mast then being in vertical condition, the extension 6!! is removed from the tube 6 and a conventional wind generator or other instrument is applied to the collar 59. The winch is then actuated to wind the cable on the drum which draws the equalizer toward the mast and raises the outer or upper end of the tube 6, reverse movement of the cable being controlled by the ratchet mechanism 34. Actuation of the winch is continued to raise the folded extension from the position shown in Fig. 8 through the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2 to the erected condition shown in Fig. 1, at which time the side flanges of the angles 38 at the lower end of the hinging unit 5 engage about the mast 2 and the lower end of the plate 2'5 engages about the reduced section 2% of the mast to stop continued unfolding movement of the extension and retain the extension in erected condition. The ratchet mechanism cooperates with the plate and unit 5 to prevent unintended pivotal movement of the extension. The unattached cable or cables 55 are then interengaged with their corresponding turnbuckles on the base member and the turnbuckles adjusted to further brace the ex tension against unintended pivoting.

When it is desired to repair or replace the generator assembly on the tower, the cable opposite the hinge or pivot point for the extension is released from the base. The ratchet mechanism is released to permit unwinding of the reeled cable and while the winch is controlled manually or otherwise, the remaining attached cables may be drawn upon to pivot the extension 6, after which it may be let down by unwinding the cable from the winch in the usual manner.

It is apparent that complete folding of the extension presents the top end thereof above the ground in convenient position for an attendant to work upon an instrument on the extension and that when such work is completed, rewinding of the winch and attachment of the released cable quickly places the tower in operative condition.

In Figs. 9 to 11, inclusive, I have shown a modifled form of my invention wherein an auxiliary bracket member 65, Fig. 10, is preferably suitably mounted on the mast 86, Fig. 9, above the winch 67, as by the fastening device Bl, Fig. 10, auxiliary truss members tit-69 and iiiill being engaged with the auxiliary bracket and at their opposite ends with the base l2 and stop plate E3.

The auxiliary bracket 65 preferably consists of a cast element having a substantially semi-circular hub member 34, Fig. 10, having radially extending arms 15 and i5 connecting at their outer ends with the corner boss members iii and H, the boss members having bores 18 therein. Arms :79 and fill are connected with the corner members of the auxiliary bracket and are also provided with bored boss members at at their ends for receiving intermediate portions of the auxiliary truss members. The arms it and 80 are spaced from each other to provide a channel for the reception of a hinge unit generally indicated by the numeral 82 substantially similar to the unit 5 in the preferred form of invention and forming a main truss member. The arms l9 and 8B are also provided with connecting arms 83 and 3d terminating on the arms l5 and lb adjacent the hub. member i -i of the auxiliary bracket.

In the present instance, the upper end of the main truss member or hinge unit 82 is fixed to the'mast extension 85,- as at to, adjacent the upper end of the mast extension such a manner that a maximum amount of leverage may be applied to the extension by the winch t'l, which is attached to the lower end thereof, to facilitate raising the extension from folded to upright condition.

As an illustration of the manner in which the auxiliary truss members may be applied to the apparatus, I preferably provide double hook elements 81, Fig. 11, having a central portion 88 engaged with the pivot pin 89 which connects the plate 73 with the hinge member at. The opposite ends of the hook elements are adapted for receiving mating hook elements a! engaged with the auxiliary truss members ill and H, for example. The lower ends of the auxiliary truss members extend a suitable distance downwardly to be engaged by hooks on turnbuckles 92 suitably fixed at the corners of the base l2, and the auxiliary truss members 68 and 69 intermediately engaged by the spaced auxiliary bracket arms are preferably engaged with the base through turnbuckles 93 and 9 fixed to a cross-bar 95 on the corner 96 of the base. The turnbuckles 93 and M are preferably spaced apart on either side of the turnbuckle 9'! which supports the truss member 98 of themain bracing system.

The operation of a tower constructed in accordance with my modified form of invention is substantially similar to that disclosed in connection with my preferred form of invention. In the present instance, however, the hinge unit 32 may move out of and into the channel between the arms of the auxiliary bracket after the truss member 98 has been removed from its turnbuckle jao 91 without the necessity of removing the auxiliary truss members from engagement with the base or stop plate at the pivot point of the mast extension relative to the, mast. In the modified form illustrated, the auxiliary bracing elements permit the upper end of the hinge unit or truss member 32, as well as the main truss members 99, to be engaged with the extension 85 at its extreme outer end in order to increase the available leverage applied to the extension in hinging the same.

Some of the more important advantages obtained as an incident to both forms of this invention are that a relatively light, easily operable and ei-ficient tower are provided which, because of its lightness, can be built to great heights. The working parts of the apparatus are simple. The tower is easily erected from the ground. Further, the maintenance of the tower is greatly simplifiedover other towers heretofore employed for this purpose.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A tower of the character described including a mast having a base adapted to seaton .a suitable support, an extension pivotally mounted on the upper end of said mast, a truss member mounted on the extension, means on the mast engaged with the truss member for raising and lowering the extension on its pivot relative to the mast, a bracket mounted on the mast, and an auxiliary truss member engaged with the base, bracket and pivot on which the extension hinges for cooperating in maintaining the extension in upright condition relative to the mast, said bracket having spaced arms forming a channel for the reception of the truss member as the extension is pivoted relative to the mast. V

2. A tower of the character described including a base, a mast mounted in the base, a winch mounted on the mast having a cable, an extension pivotally mounted on the mast, a truss member mounted on the extension at one end thereof and having a truss rod engaged with the extension at a point thereon adapted to apply adequate leverage to the extension, said truss member extending beyond the lower end of the extension and being engaged with the cable, a bracket mounted on the extension and engaged with the truss member and truss rod, means mounted on the extension and engageable with the base for retaining the extension in alignment with the mast, an auxiliary bracket mounted on the mast, and an auxiliary truss member engageable with the base, auxiliary bracket and pivot on which the extension hinges for cooperating in maintaining the extension in upright condition'relative to the mast, said auxiliary bracket having spaced arms forming a channel for the reception of the truss member as the extension is pivoted relative to the mast.

3. A tower of the character described including a base, a mast mounted on the base, an extension pivotally mounted on the mast, means mounted on the extension at one end thereof having a truss rod engaged with the extension at a point thereon adapted to apply adequate leverage to the extension, said means extending beyond the lower end of the extension and being engageable with an extension pivoting device, a bracket fixed to the extension and engaged with said means and truss rod, and flexible members connected with the bracket engageable with the base for retaining the extension in alignment with the mast.

4. A tower of the character described including a mast member, a base for the mast member, an extension of less length than the mast member pivotally mounted on the mast member and alignable therewith, means for hinging the extension relative to the mast member, and means mounted in the extension opposite the pivoted end thereof and engageable with a support for the mast member base as the mast member is being raised from horizontal to vertical position for supporting the extension in jack-knifed condition relative to the support prior to hinging the same into vertical alignment with the mast member, said last named means being removable from the extension to allow application of a suitable instrument thereto while the extension is in convenient position therefor.

WILLIAM J. SCHOLL. 

